Eminem Joins Jack White for Halftime Show at Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Game

The annual Thanksgiving football game at Detroit's Ford Field, a cherished local tradition, witnessed a truly historic halftime moment. In a stunning collaboration, hometown rock hero Jack White was joined on stage by fellow Detroit music titan Eminem, creating a surprise spectacle that electrified the roaring crowd.

Jack White, the celebrated frontman of The White Stripes and a successful solo artist, began his set with "That's How I'm Feeling." The stadium's energy then exploded with the unannounced arrival of Eminem, widely regarded as the Detroit Lions' most prominent supporter. The rap icon performed his verses over a fresh take on The White Stripes' track "Hello Operator" and a rock-tinged version of his 2002 anthem "'Till I Collapse." White then closed the show with his thunderous hit "Seven Nation Army," accompanied by the Lions cheerleaders. This powerful moment was amplified by the recent induction of The White Stripes into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a landmark honor for the duo he formed with his former wife, Meg White. This recognition solidifies their legacy as one of the most influential garage rock acts of the 21st century.

This landmark performance marked the first major outcome of a new creative alliance between the Lions and Eminem—real name Marshall Mathers—and his longtime manager, Paul Rosenberg. As the president of Shady Records, the label Eminem launched in 1999, Rosenberg has been instrumental in shaping the rapper's three-decade-long career. The pair have officially been signed as creative consultants for the Thanksgiving halftime production through 2027, with Jack White being their inaugural booking. Detroit Lions president and CEO Rod Wood voiced his excitement, noting, "Collaborating with Marshall and Paul, two of the most respected figures in music and dedicated Lions fans, is a tremendous opportunity. Their involvement will help us attract world-class talent and establish this event as a must-see cultural moment in the NFL." This strategic partnership underscores the organization's goal of leveraging local star power to elevate the show into a premier national broadcast event.

To guarantee a production befitting a national audience, the Lions enlisted Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE), the acclaimed production company behind spectacles like the Super Bowl Halftime Show. This collaboration is designed to infuse future performances with a high-gloss, big-budget feel. The celebration of Detroit's musical roots extended beyond the main event, as evidenced by the pre-game performance. Esteemed gospel singer and Detroit native Cece Winans—a 12-time Grammy Award winner known for her powerful vocals—delivered a moving and soulful rendition of the national anthem. This multi-faceted approach, featuring both rock and gospel legends, highlights a deliberate strategy to present the city's vast and influential musical heritage, creating a comprehensive entertainment package that resonates on a national scale.